Vending machine



W1 @uw uw 1U v' i "W1 w 1 lW1 M Wl M I II July 1 1947- J. E. STEWART2,423,265

NNNNNN OR JAMES E. STEWART AT TOR N EY.

July I, 1947. J. E. STEWART 2,423,265

VENDING MACHINE Filed June 1e. 1943 4 sheets-sheet 2 N-Y, 1.112.'. ...I'f

'INVENTGFL ATTORN EY.

July l, 1947.

J. E. STEWART VENDING MACHINE 4 sheets-sheet 4 Filed June 16, 1943lNveN-ron JHMES E ETE wHRT #84 BY ATTORNEY Patented July l, 1947 l2,423,265 VENDING MACHINE James E. Stewart, Rye, N. Y., assignor to TheRotomat Corporation Island a corporation of Rhode Application June 16,1943, Serial No. 490,995

12 Claims. l

This invention relates to improvements in vendl ing machines and has foran object the provision of a, vending machine having a refrigeratorcabinet and a plurality of rotary shelves thereinl means associated witheach shelf for urging it in a predetermined direction, stationary meansassociated with each shelf for guiding the bottles or wares thereontoward a delivery point, and coin-controlled means for each shelf foreffecting the delivery one at a time therefrom.

Another object of the invention is the provision of individual deliverymeans for each shelf, coin mechanism adapted to render some of saiddelivery means operable when it receives coins of one value, and adaptedto render others of said delivery means operable when it receives coinsof a different value, and means common to all said delivery means andactuated by an operating delivery means for locking all the othersagainst movement.

A further object of the invention is the provision, in a refrigeratingmachine for drinks, of delivery means for effecting the delivery ofdrinks therefrom with a minimum loss of refrigeration.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision, in a, vendingmachine for drinks, of delivery mechansm for delivering drinkstherefrom,

said mechanism being adapted to illuminatedly display the kind of drinkdelivered thereby.

Other objects and advantages of the inventioncwill be apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon a study of the following specification and theaccompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of one embodiment of my newand improved drink vending machine for several drinks at differentprices;

Figure 2 is an elevation of the machine shown Figure 3 is a transversecross-sectional view of the machine. showing the arrangement of theFigure 6 is a side elevation of price bar mechanism for controlling theoperability of the several delivery mechanisms;

Figure 'I is a face view of the machine shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the mechanism shown in Figures 6 and 7;

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of the mechanism of Figures 6, 7, and8, as seen along the line 9-9 of Figure 6;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of one Vof my lockout bars;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of one of my price bar cams;

Figure 12 is a lgroup of price bar cams showing engaging lugs indifferent positions on each cam;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary view of a modified form of delivery door; and

Figure 14 is a fragmentary view of the lower end of the price barmechanism with the cover removed, and showing a positionable membermoved by a coin mechanism in accordance with the value 0f money receivedby the coin mechanism.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, the mechanism is enclosed in atubular casing 2li, the lower portion 2| of which may be used forstorage, and which may "also contain the coin box (not shown) foraccepted coins after they leave the coin mechanism. The upper portion 22of the casing may be domed and may be provided with bull's-eyes 23,behind-which lamps 24 may be positioned for decorative effects.

A plate 2 5 on the wall of the cabinet has a slot 26 therein forreceiving coins, and this slot communicates, through suitable conduits,with coin mechanism (not shown) adapted to receive single or pluralcoins and control a positionable member in accordance with the value ofthe coin or coins deposited, as will hereinafter be described.

Within the cabinet 2|), near the upper end thereof ls secured a spiderring 21, the yhub 21 of which forms a rigid support for the upper end ofa'shaft 28. A second spider ring 29 secured within the lower portion ofthe inner cabinet wall 32 has a hub which engages and steadies the lowerportion of the shaft 28, and an extension 30 of this shaft may extendthrough the lower portion (or compartment) 2l to the base 3l of themathe shaft carries a headed stud 33, similar to the headed stud 33bshown in Fig. 5 the head of which is engaged by the apertured inner endof a spiral spring 34 which is housed in an inverted drumlike member 35,having a hole 36 therein forming a bearing on the shaft 28. The outerend of the spiral spring may be secured to the wall of the drum-likemember 35 by means of a bolt 31. The shaft 28 is stationary and may berigidly secured in the cabinet 20 in any suitable manner. For example,one way of rigidly securing the shaft in the cabinet is the provision ofa bushing in the floor of the cabinet and securing the lower end of theshaft in said bushing by a key or pin. 'Ihe upper end of the shaft 28 isfixed to the spider 21, and between the top and bottom of the cabinetthe shaft is fixed to the spider 29.

A flat disc 38, which is preferably perforate, is secured to the springdrum 35 and is supported on a suitable bushing 39 which has a holetherein engaging the shaft 28 and supported b5" a thrust bearing like Hbto be presently described. The disc 38 forms a rotary shelf forsupporting articles to be vended and is of a diameter clearing the innersurface of the inner wall 32.

Beneath the disc 38 is a disc-like member 40 having a flanged rim whichis secured to the inner wall 32 in any suitable manner, for example byriveting, spot welding, etc. 'I'he mid-portion of the member is cuppeddownwardly, as shown, to accommodate a. thrust bearing 4l supporting thebushing 39 and the flat disc or turntable 38. The thrust bearing 4|h isshown enlarged in Fig. 5 and consists of a lower disc having an annularrace formed on the upper surface thereof. 'Ihis disc has a hole formedtherein to clear the shaft 28, and its outer diameter is such that itforms a press flt with the depression formed in the flanged disc member40". The thrust bearing has an upper disc-like portion with a downwardlyfacing annular race. The outer perimeter of this disc clears thedepression formed in the disc-like member 40b and the center hole mayalso clear the shaft 28. Between the two members of the thrust bearingis a row 'of balls which are engaged by the races above referred to. Theweight of the rotary shelf 38b is impressed upon the upper member of thethrust bearing via the bushing 39h.

Beneath and spaced apart from the turntable 38 is a turntable 38lprovided with a like spiral spring housed in a drum 35B. A thrustbearing 4l* for the turntable 38 is supported by the spider ring 29.

Above and spaced apart from the turntable 38 are several otherturntables designated as 38", 38"', 38d, 38 and 38, supportedrespectively on thrust bearings 4I", 4Ic, 4l, 4| and 4I, supported indownwardly cupped mid-portions of flanged disclike members 40", 40",40d, 40e and 40, like the member 40. These turntables, like theturntable 38, are provided respectively with spring drums 35, 35, 35d,35e and 35f.

Secured to the lower surface of the flanged disclike member 40b is aspiral strip 42 extending vertically downward and having a portion atright angles thereto spot welded or attached in any other suitablemanner to the member 40". The downwardly extending portion of the spiralstrip 42 amply'clears the upper surface of the turntable 38.

Referring to Figure 3, the outer end 42m of the spiral strip 42 issubstantially tangent to the inner wall 32 at the point 42m (oppositethe delivery opening to be presently described). The inner end 42 at apoint adjacent to the spring drum 35 terminates in an almost rightangled portion 43 4 which is secured to the convolution of the spiraldesignated by the numeral 42'.

It will be understood that the member 40b is welded or otherwisestationarily secured to the inner wall 32, therefore the spiral 42 isalso stationary.

Assuming the shelf 38 to be empty and it is desired to re-load it, theservice-man opens a hinged section of the Wall 32, exposing a portion ofthe shelf outside the outer convolution of the spiral. and places aplurality of merchandise containers 44 thereon. He then rotates theshelf 38 in a. direction shown by the dotted arrows; this moves thecontainers 44 around the spiral and at the same time winds the spring34. As soon as the rst plurality of containers are moved in, exposing asecond portion of the shelf, the service-man can place additionalcontainers thereon. The service-man continues to move the shelf in thedirection of the dotted arrows, placing additional containers thereonuntil the first or end container, which he placed on the shelf, comes torest against the right angled portion (or inner end) 43 of the spiraland a continuous series of containers extends therefrom, about theconvolutions of the spiral, to the delivery exit 45. The act of turningthe shelf in the direction of the dotted arrows not only distributed thecontainers around in the spiral as just described, but also effected thewinding of the spring 34.

With the shelf 38 full and with the spring 34 fully wound, the latterconstantly urges the shelf in the direction of the solid arrows andinsures the successive delivery of each and every one of the containerson the shelf 38 to the delivery exit A similar spiral 42a secured to thebottom of the member 40 cooperates with containers 44 on the shelf 38a.The yheight of the spiral is of course greater, as the space between theshelf 38 and the shelf 38a is greater, and as pointed out above, thespiral extends downwardly from its support and amply clears the shelfbelow.

Likewise, spirals 42", 42C, 42d, 42, and 421, respectively, secured toand extending downwardly from stationary members 40, 40d, 40, 40 and40g, amply clear and cooperate with merchandise containers on the rotaryshelves 38", 38, 39d, 38, and 381, respectively, and the latter may beloaded with merchandise in the same manner as described above inconnection with the shelf 38.

As each shelf is loaded, its spring is automatically wound up and willact in the same manner to effect the delivery of the merchandisecontainers to the respective delivery exits.

'Ihe inner` wall 32 of the cabinet may be provided with a closure top46, which may be secured thereto in any suitable manner.

Thedelivery mechanism, generally referred to by the numeral 45, consistsof a generally round section, Figures 4 and 5, with a central verticalhole 41 therein which is journaled on a hollow shaft 48. A generally Ushaped cavity 49 is formed in this round section without top or bottomwalls. The end container 50, due to the urge of the rotary shelf 38 andthe action of the spiral 42, enters the cavity 49 and continues to reston the shelf 38 until the delivery mechanism is operated. as willpresently be described.

A second cavity 52 is formed in the delivery mechanism, the sides 53 and54 of which are angular, with respect to each other, greater than andthis cavity may be termed a display niche. It also has a bottom wall,and a top wall, (not shown) but which are identical with the bottom wall55b and the top wall 56h of the crosssectioned delivery mechanism justabove the mechanism 45.

Within the display niche are lamps 51 and 58, which are preferablytubular in form, for illuminatedly displaying the sample container 68. Acurved panel 59 of glass or transparent plastic is removably secured tothe delivery exit body, in any suitable manner, for enclosing the samplecontainer 68 and the lamps 51 and 58. A knob 6| is secured thereto forrotating the delivery mechanism body. as will presently be described.

Beneath the bottom wall of the delivery mechanism 45 is a circularplaten 63, which may have formed integral therewith an arcuate cam 62 ofa predetermined length. This cam cooperates with release bar cams in amanner to be presently described.

A bushing 64 forms a working fit on the shaft 48 and has a polygonalshank which lits aligned matching polygonal holes formed in the platen63 and in the lower end of the hole 41, with the result that when thedelivery mechanism is rotated to deliver an end container (58, forexample) to the customer, by moving the knob 6| around to the positionshown in Figure 4, the container, which was at the beginning of the D-eration positioned in the cavity 49 and resting on shelf 38, is by thismovement, slid off the shelf 38 and onto the platen 63 (still positionedin the cavity 49). When the knob 6| reaches the position shown in Figure4, the container 58 is in front and may be picked up by the customer.

As soon as the delivery mechanism is returned to its normal position,which is the position shown in Figure 3, the succeeding container, due

to rotative urge of the spring 34 on the shelf 38,

as described above, passes into the cavity 49 and is ready to bedelivered when the delivery mechanism is again turned to the left. Dueto the presence of the fixed spiral 42, this action may continue untilthe last container on the shelf 38 is delivered.

The other delivery mechanism 45 associated with the other shelves aresubstantially the same (except for height) and they all operate in thesame manner, therefore they are given the same numerals as the onedescribed above with an additional letter corresponding to that of theshelf with which the delivery mechanism is associated. For example, theparts of the delivery mechanism associated with the shelf 38L have theletter a added to the numeral, etc.

A modified form of the delivery mechanism 45x is shown in Figure 13,wherein the rotative portion consists of a solid cylinder having asingle open ended cavity 48X formed therein, and the illuminateddisplayniche is eliminated. The wall portion 65 may, if desired, carrydecorative effects. A knob 6|x is provided for rotating the deliverymechanism, and an arcuate cam lip |52l is provided for determiningwhether or not said mechanism may be rotated, as will be hereinafterexplained.

Referring now to Figures 6 to 12, inclusive, and 14, a stepped barmember 66 has a comparatively shallow channel 61, and a deeper channel68 formed therein. 'I'he channel 61 lies between longitudinal walls 69and 18, and the longitudinal walls 18 and 1| deiine the Vchannel 68.Lateral aligned slots 12, 13, and 14 are formed respectively in thewalls 69, 18, and 1|. In Figures 6 and 7. a set of similar slots areshown at `128i, 13B, and 14, below the slots 12, 13, and 14, a distanceequal to the distance between the cam lip 6 62 and the cam lip 62al(Figure 2). Other sets of slots 12b, 13b and 14h; 12, 13, and 14, etc.,are provided to receive the cam lips 62h, 62, etc.

The stepped bar member 66 is positioned vertically with the slots abovereferred to in positions where the cams 62, 62, 62, 62, etc., may enterthem. This position may best be seen in Fig. 3.

Within the channel 61 is a plurality of bars 15 having beveled ends 16and 11. These bars are of lengths corresponding to the distances betweenthe cam lips 62, 62, 62", 62, etc., and are so proportioned that whenany one cam lip is positioned 'between the adjacent ends of any twobars, the entire length of the channel is lled up and no other cam lipcan enter between any of the other bars 15. The beveled ends facilitatethe entrance of a cam lip between the adjacent ends of the two bars withwhich it cooperates (when no other cam lip is between any other bars).

Within the channel 68 are price bars 18, 19, 88, 8|, and 82, the lowerends of which terminate adjacent to a cross-slot 83 formed in thelateral extension 68a of the bar member 66 at the bottom of, and at aright angle to, the channel 68. A positionable bar mem'ber 84 is mountedin the slot 83 and has a slot 85 formed therein which is normallybeneath the lower end of the wall 1|. The positionable bar member 84 maybe connected to a suitable coin mechanism (not shown) which positionsthe member 84 in accordance with the value of the money inserted. Forexample, if 5 is inserted, the coin mechanism would move the member tobring its slot 85 below the price bar 82; l0 would cause the slot toalign with the price bar 8l; 15 would align it with price bar 88; 28would align it with price bar 19; and 25 would align it with the pricebar 18.

The price bars 18 to 82, inclusive, are urged u-pwardly by spring means(not shown), and the lower ends thereof clear the positionable member bya few thousandths of an inch permitting it to be moved freely by thecoin mechanism. It is obvious that if the positionable member 84 ismoved to a point where the slot 85 is positioned below the price bar 82(which is described above as the 5c bar), the price bar may be moveddownwardly against the urge of the spring means referred to above, andits lower end will enter said slot. It is also obvious that none of theother price bars can be moved down because they would encounter solidportions of the positionable member.

The price bars all have slots formed therein, spaced to correspond tothe distances between the cam lips 62, 62', 62", 62, etc.` (Figure 2).It will be noted in Figure 8, that these slots are staggered to preventinterference, slots 86, 88, and 98, in bars 18, 88, and 82 beingaligned, and slots 81 and 89, in bars 19 and 8| being out of alignmentwith slots 86, 88, and 98, but in alignment with each other.

Referring now to Figure 11, a removable key 9| is shown. It consists ofa rectangular block 92 having a |beveled face v93 formed thereon, andintegral with and extending rearwardly from the block is a rectangulartongue 94. This tongue is positioned on the vertical center line of theblock and is therefore adapted to be positioned in any slot 88 in theprice bar 88 (described above as the 15e bar). If more than one shelf inthe vending machine carried 15 merchandise, the same number of keys 9|may be placed in engagement with corresponding slots in the 15 price bar88.

One is shown in Figure 8 positioned between the In Figures 6 and 7,' thepositionable member 84 is shown with its slot 85 below the price bar 80,due to the fact that e was inserted in the machine. The cam lip t2a (onthe bottom delivery mechanism, as the latter is turned) enters the slot12a and rst engages the beveled surfaces of the adjacent bars l5, camsthem apart and passes between them--thus locking out all of the othercam lips. As the delivery mechanism is rotated further, the cam lip 62aengages the beveled face 93 of the key 9|, and forces the price bar 80,with which the key 9| is associated, downwardly and causes the lower endof the price bar 80 to enter the slot 85 in the positionable l member84. The delivery mechanism is turned further until the cavity i9containing the merchandise is accessible, and the customer may removethe same.

It will also be noted that a key 9| is associated with the deliverymechanism carrying the cam lip 62e, therefore if the purchaser, afterdepositing 15e, decided to choose that merchandise, he could obtain ityby operating that delivery mechanism in the same manner.

In Figure 12 are shown other keys to be associated with other pricebars. First is key 95 having a beveled face 96, and a rectangular boss91, positioned to engage notches 86 in the 25 price bar only. Next iskey 98 having a beveled face 99 and a rectangular boss |00, positionedto engage only notches 90 in the 5 price bar 82. The third key |0| inthis group has a beveled face |02 and a rectangular boss |03, adapted toengage only notches 89 in the 10 price bar 8|. A key |04 has a beveledface |05 and a rectangular boss |06 adapted only to engage notches 81 inthe price bar 19.

With the above described keys 9|, 95, 98, |0| and |04, several pricedshelves of merchandise may be carried in the machine and the price barsmay be keyed up in accordance with the prices. The keys are positionedin the channel 68, above the price bars as seen in Figure 9, and areretained therein by removable cover plates |01, which also retain thebars 'l5 therein.

Although I have shown and described my new and improved vending machineas vending drinks in containers or bottles, it must be understood thatthe machine will vend liquids or any other kinds of commodities packagedin any desired manner, and I intend to use the machine for vending saidcommodities.

It will also be understood that many changes may be made in thearrangements shown and described without departing from the scope 0f theinvention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a vending machine for packages or containers, a casing, a rotaryshelf mounted in said casing, a delivery exit, a plate above and spacedapart from said shelf, said plate being xedly secured in said casing, aspiral member formed of a strip secured to said plate in edgewiserelation, said strip having its bottom edges clearing said shelf andforming therewith a spiral passage, and means constantly applying arotative' urge to said shelf in a direction in which the radius vectorof the spiral increases.

2. In a vending machine for packages or containers, a casing, a verticalshaft mounted in said casing and secured against rotation, a shelf insaid casing rotatably mounted on said shaft, a delivery exit, a platerigidly secured to said casing in spaced parallel relation above saidshelf, a, spiral member secured in depending relation to said plate andhaving its lower limits clearing said shelf, said member lying in aplane parallel to said shelf and forming therewith a yspiral passagealong which the containers may be guided, and a spiral spring positionedon and having its outer end secured to said shelf, the inner end of saidspring being secured to said fixed shaft, said spring being adapted toconstantly apply a rotative urge to said shelf in the direction in whichthe convolutions of said passage increase in radius.v

3. In a vending machine for packages or containers, a round casing, axed vertical shaft centrally located therein, a disc-like shelfrotatably mounted on said shaft and adapted t0 support a plurality ofsaid containers, a delivery exit, a disc-like member above and spacedapart from lsaid shelf, said member being xedly secured to said casing,a spiral member depending from and secured to said disc-like member andhaving its axis concentric with said shaft, said spiral member havingits lower edges clearing said shelf, said spiral member and said shelfconjointly forming a spiral guideway for said containers, and springmeans secured to said shelf and constantly urging the latter in adirection to cause said containers to traverse said passage outwardly tosaid exit.

4. In a vending machine for packages or containers, a round casing, a,vertical shaft centrally located therein, a thrust bearing rigidlysupported on said shaft, a disc-like shelf rotatably carried on saidshaft and supported by said thrust bearing and adapted to support aplurality of said containers, a discharge exit, a xed plate securedwithin said casing in spaced parallel relation above said shelf, aspiral member secured in depending relation to said plate and having itslower edges clearing said shelf, said member and said shelf conjointlyforming a spiral guideway for -said containers, the outer extremity ofsaid guideway terminating at said delivery exit, a spring drum journaledon said shaft and secured to said shelf, a spiral spring within saiddrum with its inner end secured to said shaft and its outer end securedto said drum for urging said shelf in a direction in which the radiusvector of the spiral member increases.

5. In a vending machine for packages or containers, a cylindricalcabinet, a iixed central vertical shaft therein, a series of spaceddisc-like shelves rotatively carried on said shaft, individual springmeans for each shelf, each being adapted to urge its shelf in apredetermined direction, ilxed means above each shelf and formingtherewith a spiral guide-way the radii of the convolutions 'of whichincrease in said direction, whereby containers on said shelves are, dueto the urge on said shelves, advanced outwardly along said guide-way,and a delivery mechanism for each of said shelves having a cavityadapted to receive containers from the largest convolution of saidguide-way.

6. In a vending machine for packages or containers, an uprightcylindrical cabinet, a, xed central vertical shaft therein, several'disc-like shelves rotatively carried on said shaft in spaced relation toeach other, a fixed support below each of said shelves, a thrust bearingcarried on each of said supports, an additional xed support above andspaced apart from the uppermost of said shelves, spiral means dependingfrom each of said supports, except the lowest one, toward the shelfimmediately below it and forming therewith spiral guide-ways for saidcontainers, 9, delivery exit at the outer terminus of each of saidguide-ways, and means on each shelf for constantly urging said shelvesin the direction of the terminus of its guide-way.

7. In a vending machine for packages or containers, a verticalcylindrical cabinet, a fixed central vertical shaft therein, a pluralityof circular shelves rotatively mounted on said shaft in spaced relationto'one another, a plurality of delivery exits on said cabinet, one exitbeing provided for each shelf, said exits each being comprised ofavertical cylinder extending through the wall of said cabinet and havinga cavity therein normally positioned within said cabinet and adapted tobe rotated to a position where said cavity is outside said cabinet, andmeans individual to each shelf for urging said con,- tainers to therespective delivery exits, .said means including an individual spiralspring mounted on and having its outer end secured to one of saidshelves, and having its inner end connected to said shaft, andindividual spiral guide means above each shelf forming therewith aspiral passage, the terminus of which is adjacent to the respectivedelivery exit.

8. In a vending machine for packages or containers, a verticalcylindrical cabinet, a fixed central vertical shaft therein, a pluralityof spaced circular shelves rotatively mounted on said shaft,

10 a plurality of delivery exits on said cabinet, one of said exits foreach shelf, and means partly on each of said shelves and partly fixedabove in uniform spaced relation with each shelf for urging saidcontainers to their respective delivery exits, said means partly on eachshelf comprising an individual spiral spring mounted on and having itsouter end secured to said shelf and its inner end fixed to the shaft,and the means partly fixed above each shelf comprising a stationaryspiral strip above each shelf having its terminus diametrically oppositethe delivery exit for said shelf.

JAMES E. STEWART.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,820,671 McCormick Aug. 25, 19311,969,401 Goodin Aug. 7, 1934 1,715,667 Metrick June 4, 1929 2,124,500Taylor July 19, 1938 1,173,720 Hughes Feb. 29, 1916 2,103,391 ScofieldDec. 28, 1937 2,113,386 Schneider Apr. 5, 1938 2,288,759 Welton July 7,1942

